Railroad signal-lantern



SLN. LENNON.

Signal Lantern.

Pat'ehted Feb. 15,1859,-

Mia-W70) N PETERS. PhnmLnlm m hcr. Washinglon. D c.

UNITED s'rarns PATENT orrron.

S. N. LENNON, OF DEPOSIT, NEW YORK.

RAILROAD SIGNAL-LANTERN.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 22,960, dated February 15, 18 59.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, S. N. LENNON, of Deposit, in the county of Delaware and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Signal-Lantern for Railroad- Switches; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figures 1 and 2, are vertical central sections of my invention, showing my invention in two different positions. Fig. 3, is avertical section of ditto, taken in the line 02, 00, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts inthe several figures.

This invention relates to an improvement on a signal switch lantern for which Letters Patent bearing date July 27, 1858, were formerly granted to me.

The object of the within described invention is to simplify to a considerable extent the patented article above alluded to, so as to reduce the cost of construction without in the least detracting from its efiiciency, but, on the contrary rendering it less liable to get out of repair and more certain in its operation.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and construct my invention I will proceed to describe it.

A, represents the lantern which may be quadrilateral form, and provided at two opposite sides with colorless glass plates a, a, as shown in Fig. 3.

B, is a lamp which is fitted within the lantern as usual, the flame being in line with the glass plates a, a.

C, C, are two metal frames which may be of taper form gradually decreasing in width from their lower to their upper ends. The upper ends of these frames are suspended within the lantern, at two opposite sides and over or behind the colorless glass plates a, a, as shown at b, the frames being allowed to swing or hang loosely on their pivots or hooks. In the lower parts of each frame C, C, two colored glass plates 0, (Z, are placed.

The lantern A, may be constructed of sheet metal, and also the frames C, C, and each frame is fitted within a guide loop D, to keep them in proper position within the range of their movement.

The lantern is attached to the switch bar which is shown in red in Fig. 1, and by dotted lines in Fig. 2. The frames C, C, being so balanced or suspended on their pivots or hooks, that when the switch bar is in a vertical position the green plate 0, will be over or behind the colorless plates a, a, see Fig. 1, and when the switch bar is inclined the red plate (Z, will be over or be hind the plates a, a.

It will be seen that the frames C, C, retain the same position in consequence of their gravity, they being suspended loosely on the pivots or hooks b, the change in the relative position of the lantern and frames is due to the curvilinear .movement of the latter.

As the green light indicates that all is right, the switch will be in line with the main track when the switch bar is in a vertical position, and when it is in an inclined position, a red light will be shown, signifying caution or danger and the switch will be in line with the branch track or turn out.

The frames C, C, are made sufficiently heavy so as not to be affected materially by the movement of the lantern, and to assume their proper position immediately on the stopping of the switch bar, that is, ifthey yielded to the movement of said bar. The device is extremely simple and efiicient and is in fact reducing to its simplest form the principle shown in the lantern formerly patented by me.

I would remark that for a single switch two colored glass plates are sufficient, but for a double switch, that is, one fitted or adjusted to two branch tracks or turn outs, three colored glass plates are usedx Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,

suspending within the lantern A, at two opposite sides and over or behind the color-- less glass plates a, a, the frames C, C, provided with the colored glass plates 0, cl, and arranged as shown, or in an equivalent way, to operate as and for the purpose set forth.

S. N. LENNON.

WVitnesses:

JOHN F. HERRICK, S. D. HULoE. 

